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Senators coach Bryan Murray warned the Penguins yesterday that his team won't put up with any hijinks.

So while there's been speculation the Penguins might try to get the Senators off their game by running goalie Ray Emery or other star players, Murray let Pittsburgh counterpart Michel Therrien know Ottawa can play that game, too.

Murray told reporters that if Therrien wants to try to intimidate the Senators in the best-of-seven series that starts tomorrow at Scotiabank Place, then the Penguins can expect Ottawa to push right back.

"However we're treated, we'll treat the other team. If they give us 10:30 (a.m.) ice times, we'll give them 10:30 (a.m.) ice times. If they run our goaltender, we will look after that area of the game as well," said Murray. "That's the way I have always tried to operate: You do to something to us and I'm going to make sure my team does the same thing. We're not going to take a back seat to anybody."

Emery said he's not worried about traffic in his crease.

"I don't mind it as long as it gets called. That happens a lot more in the playoffs," said Emery. "You (have) to expect that and you've got to play it up as well. If someone bumps me, I want a penalty."

WHAT, ME WORRY?: Penguins star Sidney Crosby deflected all the heat Ottawa's way during a conference call. "As far as the two teams matching up, I would say (the Senators) have a lot of pressure going in and a lot of expectations," said Crosby. "Like I said, we don't have a lot of guys with (playoff) experience, so it'll be interesting to see how that matches up." But Crosby, the NHL's scoring champion with 36 goals and 120 points, has a lot of respect for the Senators. "They're a complete team," said Crosby. "They've got strong players that can score; they've got some good players on defence. I just see them as a complete team with a lot of depth. I think it's going to be intense. Look at the last game (a 3-2 Pittsburgh win here last Thursday). That's pretty much what we expected and I think it's going to be pretty tough. It should be good though." Crosby has liked what he's seen from 40-year-old Gary Roberts since the winger arrived from the Panthers in a deadline deal. "The biggest thing you see with Gary Roberts is the way he battles every night and I think it rubs off on everybody," said Crosby. "A guy like him is great for us to see, especially at his age."

CANADA'S TEAM?: Murray told the Senators they've got a good opportunity to get some notoriety for the franchise with the Canadiens and Maple Leafs both eliminated. The Senators, one of only three Canadian teams in the post-season, are going to get plenty of notice as a result. "I told the players, 'Now, we will get attention.' We're kind of the third team in the East as far as recognition is concerned," said Murray. "There's going to be focus on the team. The reason we're here, in a hockey market like Ottawa, is because we want to be here and the city will be proud at the end of the day. I think the fans in the East will be watching us, but I take it as an opportunity. There's a little pressure, but that's what we're in the business for. It's a real positive."

OFF THE GLASS: Senators D Tom Preissing was on the ice for practice yesterday and should be in the lineup for Game 1. Preissing missed the final game of the season against the Boston on Saturday because of a sore groin. D Christoph Schubert moved back to the wing on the fourth line, which means W Oleg Saprykin will be a scratch ... Crosby will try to grow a playoff beard, but isn't making any guarantees. "I made an attempt in junior, but ended up with a moustache," said Crosby. "I'll give it a chance this year. We'll just have to see how it pans out."